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Thursday, July 19, 2012

Post #100 Giveaway (and some show-and-tell)

As promised, there will be a giveaway involved. (There are so many in blogland right now, surely you should be able to win something!)But first, show-and-tell. I finally got my "Random Roses" block #7 to come together. It was a relief because I like the pattern and I didn't want to have to sub something else.

In my last post I was whining about using the paper templates to make these blocks. Well, my sweet friend, Teresa, from Quilt and a Prayer blog, is loaning me her acrylic templates to finish cutting my blocks. What a generous gesture, and one I greatly appreciate. I know this will save me a great deal of frustration with the last 5 blocks. Did I mention that she lives in TN and I'm in UT?

Another dear blogging friend has also been more than generous, but I will save that for another time, if I have her okay to share it with you.

Lately I have really been a sucker for mini quilt QALs--Temecula's 12 Days of Christmas, Lori's Pink Lemonade, Temecula's Blessings Baskets (begins with the March 1st post), and Cheri's Puss in the Corner. So why not join in on the Temecula Summer Stars (starts with the July 6th post)? I told myself "no" when I first saw it. But when I was putting away the scraps from my version of Cheri's Puss in the Corner, I realized that the leftover triangles would be the perfect size for the stars if I just cut them in half. After all, how hard can it be to make one 4" star each Friday through August? These are the stars so far--only two. It would be so easy to catch up if you haven't started yet (misery loves company).

Each week's star will have a different little center, so I have all of the "star" parts cut for the eight blocks (I'm guessing there are eight because that is how many Fridays there are through July and August) using my CW scrap basket, and I will just have to cut the center each week and sew it up. I've even thought of using the flying geese units of the stars as leader/enders through the week and then I'll really be ready.

I am trying to get geared up to actually do my first full-size quilt on Gidget. I know, I am such a wimp. Most of you would have churned out a dozen quilts by now. I have done several minis and table runners and a couple of baby quilts, but have yet to venture further. So I sit down and play for a few minutes whenever I get a chance and I really do enjoy it, I just lack the courage to face a "real" quilt. This was from my brief play session last night after most of my side of the world was in bed. Just doodling. I even did another piece with feathers, but I won't amuse you with that one.

Okay, let's get down to business. This 100th post giveaway is a collection of items that reflect me, I think, and I wanted to share them with you loyal and very patient followers. In the upper left corner you see a gift bag of my handcrafted soap. This bag contains 1 bar each of three scents: mint blend, cinnamon/orange, and peppermint/pine. in the center top position is a charm pack of Sandy Gervais' new Christmas line, "Merry Medley". I think it would make a great Christmas mini or runner. I don't buy a lot of whimsical fabrics, but when I find myself attracted to one, almost without fail I discover it is designed by Sandy. I just like her style.

On the right is a little patriotic pin cushion I made using a tutorial you can find here. I love all things patriotic. And finally, the little 7" square sampler that I made and hand quilted using the scraps leftover from the mini I made from the cuttings of Kathie Holland's cheddar, red, and green 9-patch set on point (you can see it in her April 28, 2012 post). That is always such a mouthful to explain, but once this little quilt goes to its new home I won't have to explain it anymore. I do have fun creating something out of trimmings from other projects. I was visiting my Mom today and she showed me the little jar where she is tossing the bonus triangles from her current project--saving them for me. She thinks I'm crazy, but she's willing to oblige me.

Well, there you have it. If you are interested in entering please leave a comment on this post. You can enter no matter where you live. I will select the winner on Monday the 23rd, 9 p.m. MDT.

Thanks to all of you that put up with my long, rambling posts, and tolerate my sometimes late-night induced silliness. I have learned so much from you during my 1+ year of blogging and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know some really nice people. You have touched me in many ways. This is my little token of thanks.

Congratulations on your 100th post - I always enjoy your 'ramblings'. Your prize package looks just delightful. I love your logic in starting the stars quiltalong - really you should be up-to-date all along! Love also what you have been up to on Gidget:-)

Congratulations on 100 posts! I need to do more doodling, I find it hard to mix different patterns together, if I start with feathers I end up doing all feathers. I need to mix things up a bit, yours looks lovely. Thanks for the giveaway. Linda x

Yeah for 100! You are so dang smart to get all your star points done knowing it is all stars....why don't I think like that? It was a-ah moment as Oprah would have said. LOLYour quilting is fantastic! I like that doodle...get to your larger projects because girl, you are ready! Remember only you would be the worse critic and the quilt gets washed, dried and crinkled! Have fun and thanks for the chance. I'd love something made from your hands.

100 Posts!!! Such an inspiration you are!! And of course I would LOVE to win!! (but really just getting to see your things is a win/win situation!!)I still have one bar of soap from your gift to me last year - I keep it in one of the drawers I keep fabric in - smells so good and reminds me of you!! Makes me smile every time I open the drawer!! Your stars look wonderful - love the "scrap" look!!!Gotta go!!! Have a blessed day!!

Your machine quilting doodle looks good to me. But I do understand the fear of putting the machine to work on a big quilt. I used to know a lady who purchased a new quilt at an auction, took it home and took out all the machine quilting, and hand quilted it. Machine quilting is a bear to take out if you don't like the results. The soaps have such wonderful sounding scents. Something I would like to win!

The Random Roses blocks are looking good and getting to use the plastic templates will make them easier to cut out.Your machine doodling looks really good. I think that you are almost ready to make the leap to a big quilt. Keep practicing and one day soon you will be quilting those big quilts and wondering what held you back.Congratulations on 100 posts! Please put my name in the drawing, I would love to win some of your soaps and beautiful handmade pieces.

Happy 100! What a smart idea on the Temecula QAL! It won't take any time at all for you to make those blocks each week. And, your quilting looks really, really great! I think you should go for it - you are ready! Thanks for the chance to win - I love that all of the items are "you"!

Teresa is a darling ... she's so close to me (less than two hours) and I'd love the opportunity to meet up with her!!! Those templates will sure make finishing up those blocks a breeze!! Congrats on 100!! You're a superstar!!! :)

Congrat on your 100 post. It's such a feeling of accomplishment isn't it...to know you've stuck with it. You are one amazing quilter...of course as I experienced first hand. Your work amazes me....and all that you get done!!

Congratulations on your 100th blogpost. Thanks for pointing us to the Temicula QAL, I'm going to dive right into the stars QAL! I love stars.And you are giving away some wonderful prizes, I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

If only my doodles looked as wonderful as yours! You have twisted my arm to join in on the stars. I'm still working on the baskets from their last QAL. I'd love to win your give away, especially for the soap.

Oh, Congrats on your 100th post. That is fabulous! I, too, wasn't going to join in on Temecula's star sew-a-long. So many things already started, you know. BUT after seeing yours and really Misery Does Love Company, I will probably join in now!

YEA for 100 postings! Love your soaps and that mini is just so fun. You are kind to share it with your winner. I have trouble giving away my minis. Are the Templates from Marti Michell? I love using mine for the FW quilt. I'm happy to read your Blog whenever you have time to share your silliness. Yes, it was after even I, went to sleep. Gidget is doing great!

Congratulations on 100 posts!!! (I just passed that milestone too!) I have loved every one of your posts my friend!!! Rambling or not, they are full of fun and life and creativity - what's not to love? Looking forward to many more posts to enjoy too :*)

Congrats on 100. Your quilting is looking good, my biggest learning curve was staying consistant. I'd make big flowers at the beginning and they got smaller and smaller as I got further down the quilt.

And here's cheering you on to your NEXT 100 posts! I always look forward to seeing what you're working on - can't believe how prolific you are! Please enter me in your drawing - you've assembled a great collection of goodies to give away!

I can see why you had trouble with that block - looks very difficult. Glad Teresa is lending you the templates - very generous of her. So is your giveaway! I think you are more than ready for a full sized quilt. Awesome!

Congratulations on your 100th post! I think your quilting is absolutely gorgeous! I need time to doodle like that. Such even stitching and spacing, it just is amazing. Please bring it in some time to show me in real life...I'd love to see it!

Congrats on your 100th blog post. I always enjoy reading what's going on in the little mountain valley (where the sagebrush grows). You look like your ready for a big quilt -- your "doodle" is fantastic. Thanks for the chance to win some goodies.mdmontalvo@yahoo.com

100 posts! Seems like only yesterday I stumbled across your "secret" in blog land! I love every post...everything you do is so well done and inspiring. You've got me cutting out tiny quilt blocks now! Congrats, mom....hope there are hundreds more!

100 worthwhile and enjoyable posts! Looking forward to 100 more! And congrats to almost reaching a 200 member blog following, something else to celebrate! The "Random Roses" block does look difficult. I like it! The little Temecula projects are all so sweet. I really enjoy the antique accents with their photographes. You are very organized in the Summer Stars project. You have put a lot of work into your giveaway...It looks wonderful!

Congratulations on your milestone and for your wonderful blog, Janet. I really love all your small projects and use them as a great source of inspiration. I'm ready to quilt a small scrappy now from your link to Cheri's. Thanks for that and the kind giveaway.

You've become a prolific, interesting, inspiring blogger in this short period of time. Already 100 posts! How quickly you reached that point. Thanks for the chance at this giveaway, and congratulations on your achievement of 100. BTW, Sandy Gervais lives not too far from me, here in north central Iowa. Her style is recognizable and such fun to use.

About Me

My priorities are my faith, family, freedom and fun. I have a wonderful husband, four great grown children and five precious grandchildren. I love to quilt, read, walk, garden, make soap, watch old movies and play Euro-style board games. I am trying to come to terms with gluten-free baking.